Method of duplicating phonograph-records.



Patented May 29, |900. H. G. WDLCUTT.

METHOD 0F DUPLIC'ATING PHUNUGRAPH RECURDS.

(Application led Mar. 22, 1900.)

(No lodel.)

UNrrno 'STATES erica PATENT HENRY GOOD'RICH WOLCOTT, OF FISHKILL-ON-THlil-HUDSON, NEW YORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,739, dated May 29, 1900.

Original application iiled July 25, 1899, Serial No. 725,060. Divided and this application filed March 22,1900. Serial To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LHENRY GooDnIcH WOL- GOTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fishkill-on-the-I-Iudson, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Method of Manufacturing Phonogram or Gramophone or Phonograph Duplicates from a Negative of the Original Record, of which the following isa specification, which is a division of the invention contained in my application for Letters Patent filed July 25, 1899, Serial No. 725,060.

This invention relates to an improved method of manufacturing phonogram orgramophone or phonograph duplicates from a negative of the original record; and it consists in supporting within a negative bearing a cameo reproduction of the sound-waves taken from the surface of the original record a cylinder of plastic material or material capable of being rendered plastic by the application of a gentle heat and expanding or forcing the plastic cylinder circumferentially outward into intimate contact with the cameo face of the negative by the action of a fluid expanding agency Within the plastic cylinder.

The invention also consists in exteriorly supporting a negative bearing a cameo reproduction of the sound-waves taken from the surface of the original record, a cylinder of plastic material or material capable of being rendered plastic by the application of a gentle heat,and expanding or forcing the plastic cylinder circumferentially outward into intimate contact with the cameo face of the negative by the action of a fluid expanding agency Within the plastic cylinder.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated one form of apparatus suitable for carrying my invention into effect, in which said apparatus is illustrated in central longitudinal section.

I will describe my said improved method in connection with said illustrated apparatus,

although I desire it distinctly understood that I do not confine my invention to such apparatus, as the same is not herein claimed, and various other means suitable for performing 5e my improved method may be employedA (No model.)

low cylindrical negative b, which bears on its interior surface a reproductionin cameo of the sound-waves impressed or cut into the surface of the original record and support it exteriorly, as in a housing c, and either before or after said negative is introduced into the external cylinder-support o I place within said negative a cylinder or tube a, of plastic material or material capable of becoming plastic by the application of a gentle heat and which is preferably of vulcanite, celluloid, or the like, and within the plastic material is introduced a hollow piston e, having an elongated annular or circumferential recess which in longitudinal extent is coequal or greater than the surface of the negative on which the cameo reproduction of sound-Waves is formed and which recess is covered with a lexible bag d, such as rubber, whereby an annular chamber h is formed. The piston is provided centrally with a longitudinal bore or passage f and lateral ports g, discharging into the annular chamber h. I conduct into said annular chamber through said bore and lateral ports a fluid expanding medium, preferably compressed air or liquid, which acts to force the bag d and plastic cylinder t evenly out- Ward in all directions, pressing the latter evenly and gently into intimate contact with the cameo-worked face of the negative and forming in the external surface of said cylinder an exact and true intaglio reproduction of the cameo representations of the soundwaves possessed by the negative, and thus reproducing a true facsimile or exact duplicate of the original record.

The plastic cylinder A is preferably a little smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the negative, and said cylinder on the reduction of the internal expanding pressure can be readily removed from the negative, owing to its yielding capacity and to the diametrical difference existing between the cylinder and the negative.

In order to secure the production of a duplicate record with merely a moderate internal pressure in the chamber h, either the negative or the plastic cylinder, or both, may be gently heated before they are placed into working position, so that the plastic cylinder, and especially its outer surface, will be capa- IOO ble of more readily taking an impression from the negative.

The step of externally supporting the negative, which is preferably an electro, is im portant to prevent any possible distortion of the negative and to hold the saine firmly while the plastic cylinder to receive the intaglio impression is being forced into intimate contact therewith, and the action of the iiuid expanding medium operates within the plasticcylinder surface to force the same outward equally and gently in all directions into intimate contact with the interior worked surface of the negative, resulting in the production of a duplicate record which is a perfect facsimile of the original record. As many duplicates as may be desired may be manufactured in this way.

In the following clauses of the claim I use the term plastic cylinder as comprehendin g a cylinder` of plastic material or material which may be rendered plastic by the application of heat, and said claims are drawn to comprehend the introduction of the plastic cylinder into the negative either before or after the latter has been arranged in its external support.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is* 1. The improved method of manufacturing phonogram, gramophone or graphophone d uplicates which consists in arrangingaplastic cylinder in a negative having a camco reproduction of the original sound-wave record, and introducing a iiuid expanding agent within said cylinder to force the latter into intimate contact with the interior cameo-surface of the negative.

2. The improved method of manufacturing phonogram, gramophone or graphophone duplicates, which consists in supporting a negative having a cameo reproduction of the' original sound-wave record, arranging a plastic cylinder therein, and eiipanding said plastic cylinder into intimate contact with the interior cameosurface of the negative by a fluid expanding agent operating Within said cylinder.

3. The improved method of manufacturing phonogram, gramophone or graphophonc duplicates, which consists in exteriorly supporting a negative of the original record, introducing a plastic cylinder into said negative, and 4ex pandin g said plastic cylinder into intimate contact with the interior surface of the negative by a Huid expanding medium acting within the cylinder, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesscs.

HENRY GOODRICH VOLCOTT.

Vitnelses H. D. JAMESON, T. L. RAND. 

